All Access

Unmanned Vehicles

Koch Industries boosts expertise in aerospace and defense connectors with Molex acquisition

WICHITA, Kan., 11 Dec. 2013. Executives at industrial manufacturer Koch Industries Inc. in Wichita, Kan., are boosting their company's expertise in electronic, electrical, and fiber optic connectors with their acquisition of Molex Inc. in Lisle, Ill.

Submarine-launched drones and protecting RF systems from jamming this week on Rapid Fire

NASHUA, N.H., 10 Dec. 2013. New capability for U.S. Navy submarines to launch reconnaissance drones while submerged, and separate-but-related DARPA and Air Force research projects to safeguard U.S. and allied radar and radio communications from enemy jamming highlight this week's Rapid Fire interview with John Keller and Ernesto Burden of Military & Aerospace Electronics.

Hacker drone story a cautionary tale about the need for unmanned vehicle data security

THE MIL & AERO BLOG, 10 Dec. 2013. Saw a fascinating, yet questionably accurate story the other day about designs for an inexpensive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for hobbyists that may have the ability to hunt, hack, and take over other UAVs.

Intel-based small-form-factor embedded computer for military uses offered by Kontron

POWAY, Calif., 10 Dec. 2013. Kontron in Poway, Calif., is introducing its next-generation Computer Brick Alternative (COBALT) embedded computer for military ground vehicles, surface ships, aircraft, unmanned vehicles, rail transportation, oil and gas and other rugged applications that require small powerful computers.

Improved navigation systems for unmanned vehicles and weapons targeting offered by Sparton

Improved navigation systems for unmanned vehicles and weapons introduced by Sparton

DE LEON SPRINGS, Fla., 8 Dec. 2013. The Sparton Corp. Navigation and Exploration segment in De Leon Springs, Fla., is introducing the GEDC-6E improved gyro attitude and heading measurement system and the DC-4E enhanced tilt attitude heading system for unmanned vehicle navigation; weapons targeting; and precision guidance applications.

Navy demonstrates ability to launch surveillance UAVs stealthily from submerged submarines

WASHINGTON, 6 Dec. 2013. U.S. Navy researchers have demonstrated a long-sought-after capability to launch unmanned surveillance aircraft stealthily from submerged submarines, which vastly extends the reach of the Navy's submarine force as a long-range reconnaissance asset.

Navy buys one Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack UAV in preparation of ramping-up the system's production

Navy buys one Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack UAV in preparation for ramping-up production

PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md., 28 Nov. 2013. U.S. Navy officials are buying one new tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), intended as an organic and dedicated multi-intelligence UAV for U.S. Marine Corps and Navy tactical commanders, in preparation for ramping-up production of the front-line tactical unmanned aircraft.

Raytheon moves toward full production of upgraded multispectral avionics targeting sensor

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio, 27 Nov. 2013. Engineers at Raytheon Co. are taking another step toward full-scale production of an upgraded avionics sensor system that provides visible-light, infrared, laser designation, and laser illumination capabilities integrated in a single sensor package.

Rugged computers for civil, military aircraft and autonomous vehicles introduced by GE

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., 27 Nov. 2013. GE Intelligent Platforms in Huntsville, Ala., is introducing the CRS-D4I-3VB1 and the CRS-D8I-3VF1 commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) rugged embedded computers for demanding, harsh environments such as civilian and military autonomous vehicles, commercial and military aircraft, ground vehicles, helicopters, surface and underwater research vessels, and locomotives.

Catapult-launched Bat UAV from Northrop Grumman being adapted to electronic warfare

RIDGECREST, Calif., 25 Nov. 2013. An era may be dawning when relatively small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may be put into action as electronic warfare (EW) aircraft to enable warfighters operating on the forward edge of the battlefield to jam enemy radar, communications, and other RF systems.

Chris Kneizys

A specialist discusses custom technical solutions for signal transmissions in some of the most challenging and extreme environmental conditions.

Lockheed Martin Aculight to develop 60-kilowatt laser to kill UAVs, rockets, and mortars

Laser weapons experts at Lockheed Martin Aculight in Bothell, Wash., will help the U.S. Army develop a 60-kilowatt fiber laser module for a truck-mounted laser weapon system intended to shoot down enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), rockets, artillery rounds, and mortars.

DARPA program to launch long-range UAVs from small ships expands to five contractors

A U.S. military research program that seeks to develop a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can launch and recover from relatively small ships for long-term maritime surveillance has grown to five separate contractors.

DARPA issues first-phase solicitation for XS-1 hypersonic space plane for deploying satellites

ARLINGTON, Va., 15 Nov. 2013. U.S. military researchers are asking industry to begin work on developing a reusable hypersonic unmanned spacecraft able to carry and deploy 3,000-to-5,000-pound satellites to low-Earth orbit (LEO) for less than $5 million per launch.

Navy asks Hydroid to build large and small unmanned submersibles in $36.3 million contract

U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts needed unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) for ocean mine countermeasures, reconnaissance, and mapping.

Flexible & integrated unmanned command & control

Unmanned vehicle technology advances deliver a common operating picture for enhanced decision-making and mission effectiveness.

Hyperspectral sensor payload for UAVs and manned aircraft introduced by Headwall

FITCHBURG, Mass., 12 Nov. 2013. Headwall Photonics Inc. in Fitchburg, Mass., is introducing the Micro-Hyperspec integrated airborne hyperspectral electro-optical sensor for manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Hydroid asked to repair and upgrade Navy's fleet of MK 18 unmanned underwater vehicles

INDIAN HEAD, Md., 11 Nov. 2013. U.S. Navy officials are asking Hydroid Inc. in Pocasset, Mass., to repair and upgrade the Navy's fleet of MK 18 Kingfish unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), as well as to help train Navy personnel to use the unmanned submersibles.

Lockheed Martin links ground sensor network and unmanned aircraft systems to protect personnel, assist in border surveillance

Lockheed Martin links ground sensor network and UAS for protection, surveillance

WASHINGTON, 2 Nov. 2013. The Self-Powered Ad-hoc Network (SPAN), a wireless ground sensor system from Lockheed Martin in Bethesda, Md., will soon be able to connect with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs) to provide pervasive coverage and persistent surveillance of designated areas.

NASA looks for companies able to build solar sails for pushing CubeSats through deep space

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., 30 Oct. 2013. U.S. spacecraft researchers are reaching out to industry to fond companies able to design and build solar sails deployable from a tiny spacecraft measuring just 64 cubic inches that will be built for deep-space exploration.